This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

TENNESSEE — After five weeks on the run, a Tennessee teacher who kidnapped and fled with his 15-year-old student has been arrested in California, authorities said.

The student, Elizabeth Thomas, was found safe in in Cecilville, near the Oregon border, her sister Kat Thomas said Thursday. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation earlier had said the two were found in a commune, but backed off that description and said they were found in a remote cabin in Cecilville, about two hours from the nearest police station.

“There aren’t words in the English language to describe the level of relief and elation experienced by the Thomas family,” said Jason Whatley, the family’s attorney. “Now begins another hard chapter, but for now, we celebrate.”

Tad Cummins, 50, fled with Elizabeth from their small town of Culleoka, Tennessee, on March 13. They disappeared a few weeks after a student reported seeing Cummins and Elizabeth kissing in a classroom.

A call to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation tip line led to a remote cabin where the Nissan Rogue at the center of the search was parked outside and the two inside, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said.

After the capture, one federal charge of transportation of a minor across state lines for the purpose of having criminal sexual intercourse was filed against Cummins, said Jack Smith, acting US attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. The charge carries a minimum of 10 years.

A 2,000-mile escape

Surveillance video showed the pair at a Walmart in Oklahoma City on March 15. But after that, the trail went cold.